Dual-quad De Soto on Tulsa turf

Is it just us, or are wildly good restorations of De Sotos from the 1950s coming into serious vogue? We just saw a whole bunch of them at the Mecum Auction in Indianapolis, and now, here’s this shocker that’s been consigned to Leake’s forthcoming sale in Tulsa, Oklahoma, set for June 10-12. Specifically, it’s a 1956 De Soto Fireflite convertible, done up with a nut-and-bolt restoration, outfitted with good stuff like the Adventurer dual-quad package, Benrus steering-wheel clock and Columbia under-dash phonograph. Nice colors, don’t you think?

Then there’s this rarity. BMW produced only 10 examples of the M1 AHG supercar in 1982, most of which went to either F1 drivers or favored customers. Buyers could specify a full-custom paint scheme, as here. The Leake auction will be in the QuikTrip Center at Expo Square in Tulsa; learn more about the consignments at www.leakecar.com.

June 2, 2011 9:52 am

'67Satellitesays:

June 2, 2011 10:25 am

JOHN NICHOLASsays:

June 2, 2011 10:02 am

Desotos were always the ‘red headed stepchild’ of Chrysler Corp. They were the second cousin of the big Chrysler and they were the ‘test site’ for a lot of the stuff that later was in the big boys. The only time I recall them having any popularity was when they sponsored the ‘Groucho Marx’ TV show-‘You Bet Your Life’ in the 50’s. Too bad they bit they dust along with so many other GM/Ford/ and Chrysler (FIAT) marques. Our choices are now which round egg blob to drive!

Paolosays:

June 2, 2011 7:16 pm

Desoto was to fill the role of Dodge after Walter Chrysler could not buy Dodge on his first attempt. After DeSoto was running, he had another chance to buy Dodge and all of it’s ready to go capability. At that point Desoto, without the assets of Dodge was a redundant line. They probably should have made the decision to close Desoto then. From then on Chrysler wrestled with how to market DeSoto until 1961 when they finally got wise.

Chucksays:

June 2, 2011 10:35 am

casey shainsays:

June 2, 2011 11:02 am

love that DeSoto. Is that the famed Iridescent Plum and Lavender combination? The Benrus steering wheel clock is a great option, too. The wire wheels would look better with blackwall tires though, lol. Cue controversy!

Andrew Frankssays:

June 2, 2011 11:46 am

In this context Hemmings once had a photograph of a 1956 Chrysler Imperial Convertible sitting in a field (The Ultimate Project) in Nebraska or Wisconsin, I think. It was determined that the car was Black (in theory) with a White Top in fragments. Perfect for aspiring Brain Surgeons. It’s certainly rare enough; I never heard of that model.

casey shainsays:

June 2, 2011 6:18 pm

Now that you mention it, the second and third bows just might be too tall. The wraparound rear plastic window lends an almost-odd appearance to the roofline, in a good way though, but I think you’re right about the roof height.

LOUIS MABRYsays:

June 2, 2011 3:52 pm

Anthony O'Neillsays:

June 2, 2011 8:06 pm

MICHAELsays:

June 3, 2011 2:18 am

But you are very wrong my friend
That DeSoto with the top down looks like a rocket ready to take off.
Its a beauty.
And thas from a man who owned four converible Cadillacs.
I wish before i die get to own that one.

Dave Ellerssays:

June 3, 2011 7:13 am

Great looking Desoto! My aunt always drove Desotos back in the 1950s getting a new one every year! The first one that I remember her having was a 1957 Fireflight 2 door htop. She got a 1958 same model with highway hi fi! The 1959 model was a Adventurer 2 door htop. This one I remember with the swivel front seats. That was so cool! She got a 1960 Desoto and the last model year 1961. These two year cars were not as fancy as the 1959. After Desoto was stopped being manufactured she went to Chrysler 300s till 1965. When I was in my early teens a neighbor had two 1956 Fireflight 4 door sedans. One being pink and white. The other one was blue and white. They both ran but were pretty rusted out. This was in 1967. They were good field cars which I and friends did drive them all over the several hindred acres of his property. Bothj were hemi V8’s!